http://starc.stthomas.ac.in:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/42 2026-04-16T05:10:07Z http://starc.stthomas.ac.in:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/123 Murdannia nampyana (Commelinaceae) sp. nov. from Kerala, India Joby, Paul; Rogimon, P Thomas; Nisha, P Murdannia nampyana sp. nov. (Commelinaceae), collected from a marshy riparian area by the Kadambrayar River, near Bhramapuram Diesel Power Project, Kakkanad, Ernakulam district, Kerala is described. The new species can be distinguished from the similar species M. spirata G.Brückn. by its creeping habit, up to 1.5 m long with no definite base (vs erect, ascending, decumbent habit, with or without definite base), 1.1–2.2 cm wide flower diameter (vs 0.65–0.80 cm), petals 1.1 × 0.5–0.7 cm (vs 0.35–0.40 × 0.25–0.35 cm), 0.6 0.5–0.9 cm long stamen filaments (vs 0.06–0.15 cm), 0.20–0.25 cm long staminode filaments, (vs 0.06–0.15 cm), 2–3 smooth seeds per locule, with ridges and furrows and 1–2 small ventral depression on both side of the linear hilum and dorsal embryotega (vs 3–4 verrucose seeds per locule, with ridges and warts, 1–3 deep ventral pits on both side of elliptic hilum, edges of pits surrounded by warts, brownish powdery material in the testa and semidorsal embryotega). 2016-08-25T00:00:00Z http://starc.stthomas.ac.in:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/90 Unveiling tree diversity and carbon density of homegarden in the Thodupuzha urban region of Kerala,India:a contribution towards urban sustainability Padmakumar, Babu; Sreekanth, NP; Shanthiprabha, V; Paul, Joby; Sreedharan, K; Augustine, Toms; Jayasooryan, KK; Rameshan, M; Arunbabu, V; Mohan, Mahesh; Sylas, VP; Ramasamy, EV; Thomas, AP The present study aimed to assess the role of homegarden (HG) in safeguarding the tree diversity and carbon (C) density or storage in the Thodupuza urban region of Idukki district in Kerala, India. A stratified random approach was used for selecting the four homegardens (HGs) with a size of 1hectare (ha). The study mainly focused on species richness, diversity, above ground biomass, carbon, correlation and distribution of carbon with various variables, species and group wise carbon storage of the system. A total of 992 trees from 66 species belonging to 31 families were enumerated with representation of 4 endemic, 1 vulnerable, 1 endangered and 23 exotics. The diversity indices obtained were closer to those of the forest ecosystem. Above ground biomass and carbon density were estimated to be 67.06 t/ha (tonne/hectare) and 31.85 6 t/ha respectively. Species Tectona grandis showed dominancy in carbon and Important Value Index. Correlation analysis among species revealed that carbon exhibited a strong positive trend with basal area and tree density, but in the case of plot (HG)-wise examination only basal area had a strong positive relationship. The diametric class analysis showed skewed type of distribution for carbon and tree density while diversity had reverse j-shaped curve. Among the two plant groups, cultivated species had an edge over native in storing carbon. Overall, this assessment shows the potential of using homegardens as a socio-ecological systems for sustainable development particularly in terms of land availability and climate mitigation options in the face of rapid urbanization. 2021-05-05T00:00:00Z